6-8 WORK CENTER SUPERVISORS RESPONSIBILITIES Work   center   supervisors   have   the   following responsibilities when working with HAZMATS: Train  work  center  personnel  in  the  use  of MSDSs. Ensure that before using hazardous materials, personnel under their supervision have been trained in the  hazards  associated  with  that  material  and  are equipped with the proper protective equipment. Ensure damage control petty officer (DCPO) has conducted preventive maintenance on flammable liquid  storage  lockers.  Inspect  the  location  where hazardous materials are stored or used. Ensure that a copy of HMUG is available for use by work center personnel. Ensure   that   there   is   a   valid   maintenance requirement for any open-purchased hazardous material item not listed in the SHML. Ensure used or excess hazardous materials are turned over to the supply department for collection and offloading to the cognizant shore facility. CLEANING SOLVENTS As a petty officer third class, you may be assigned the task of supervising a cleanup detail. No matter what the job—from paint removal to swabbing the decks— precautions must be taken to guard against the careless use of cleaning solvents. Take for example the Sailor who did not read the labels on the cleaning materials he was using to clean a commode. While using a chlorine- based cleaner to clean the commode, he decided to clean the drains at the same time. Therefore, he added a granulated drain cleaner to the commode containing the chlorine-based cleaner and then left the head. A few minutes later, he heard a loud explosion. The chemical reaction of the drain cleaner and the chlorine-based cleaner caused an explosion in the commode. Luckily, no one was hurt, but the head was a mess. Precautions Solvents used in paints, adhesives, rubber and plastic materials, and in degreasing solutions can be hazardous to your health. Most solvents are toxic and, with a few exceptions, are flammable. Appropriate measures must be taken to reduce their toxic and flammable effects. In addition, solvents that come in contact with your skin can cause serious skin problems. When using solvents, always observe the following precautions: MAKE sure the space in which you are working has adequate ventilation. WEAR protective clothing, goggles, respirators, gloves, and other appropriate equipment. MAKE sure accessible fire-fighting equipment is nearby. TAKE every precaution to prevent excessive vapors from contaminating the air. CHECK the labels on all containers of liquids. WIPE up spilled solvents immediately. AVOID  contact  with  your  eyes,  skin,  or clothing. You should NEVER swallow solvents and should always avoid breathing the vapors. KEEP solvent containers tightly closed when you are not using them. CHECK containers for leakage; if a container is defective, transfer the solvent to a new container. MAKE sure containers are empty before you discard them. You must observe the approved practices for disposal of solvents, cleaners, and their containers. LABEL all containers used to store solvents. READ and comply with all instructions and precautions on the label. For information on cleaning solvents, refer to Naval Ships’ Technical Manual (NSTM), chapter 631. When working with solvents, you must stress safety precautions to your people. Solvents should NEVER be